Naked Truth
The NCAA’s Recent NIL Policy is a Treasure Trove for College Athletes But Represents Only Fool’s Gold for Soccer Players
After decades of the NCAA resisting the ever-increasing demands for its athletes to receive financial compensation, a combination of various state laws and NCAA rules changes went into effect...
Naked Truth
The Hidden, Ugly Side of Youth Soccer, Part 2: Nightmare Parents, Feeble Leadership, and Dirty Politics
The fast-paced world of club soccer isn’t just about shuttling kids to practices, cheering them on at games, and traveling to high profile tournaments on weekends. Spurred on by...
Naked Truth
USL Players Are Set to Receive Higher Pay, But How Does it Compare Against the Underground Scene of Latino Leagues?
The USL and its players association reached an agreement in principle on a collective bargaining agreement for the second-division USL Championship. It is being touted as a landmark achievement...
Editorial
We Have To Talk About Dani Alves
The recent sexual assault allegations against Dani Alves are difficult to hear about, especially from those who admired his many accomplishments on the pitch. But we must discuss them...
Editorial
Netflix’s ‘Pelé’ is a Multi-Dimensional Look at an All-Time Legend
Both celebratory and introspective, the Netflix Pelé documentary offers unique context behind an oft-discussed soccer icon.
Everyone knows who Pelé is. But his eponymous documentary that hit Netflix last week gives...
Naked Truth
Klein is Finally Out – So What Now for LA Galaxy?
The LA Galaxy finally announced the firing of president Chris Klein on Tuesday. Amid a disastrous 2-9-3 start that had them sitting in last place in the MLS table,...
Naked Truth
There’s a Palpable Sense of Urgency for Neymar in What is Likely His Last World Cup
It's difficult to decide whether Neymar Junior has met or fallen short of the grandiose expectations that were laid on his young shoulders so many years ago. Making his...
Editorial
Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s Exclusion From Europa League Final in Baku Highlights UEFA’s Hypocrisy
Due to fears for his security in Azerbaijan, Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not play in next week's UEFA Europa League final against Chelsea. While the situation is certainly...
Editorial
A Crashing Star: Can Neymar Bounce Back From His Downward Spiral?
Once heralded as the heir apparent to the Messi/Ronaldo throne, Neymar's recent on and off-pitch antics have certainly put a damper on his legacy. Can the 27-year-old superstar rebound...
Fashion
Controversial Kits: Arguing For and Against Liverpool’s Warrior Era
Welcome to Controversial Kits, a new series at Urban Pitch where we take a look at some of the most polarizing football shirt designs and argue both in favor...
Editorial
International Football Is Losing Its Soul
The return of club football last weekend only made it more apparent how bland international breaks have become. Besides the major tournaments, international football has become difficult to watch...
Editorial
‘Neymar: The Perfect Chaos’ Paints a Complex Portrait of Football’s Most Maligned Star
Giving us an intimate look at Neymar's emotional struggles and triumphs throughout his career, Neymar: The Perfect Chaos is the latest athlete docuseries to hit Netflix. We present a (mostly spoiler-free)...
Editorial
Did Luka Modric Really End the Messi-Ronaldo Ballon d’Or Era?
By hoisting the Ballon d'Or on Monday night, has Luka Modric simply borrowed the award for a year, or have the trophy cases of Messi and Ronaldo spent their final moments with the cherished golden orb?
Editorial
Do Fans Need to Be Held In Check For Their Heckling?
Last week, Hamburg defender Toni Leistner made headlines after he confronted fans who allegedly hurled insults towards his wife and daughter. In the wake of the brouhaha, we debate...
Editorial
Is The USMNT Ready for Gregg Berhalter?
When Gregg Berhalter was hired as the head coach of the United States men's national team, the heads of U.S. Soccer had one goal in mind — to implement...
Naked Truth
Championship-or-Bust Expectations Led to the Downfall of Bob Bradley
In a big city like Los Angeles, with its siren-like call of glitzy Hollywood and seductive promises that seem just within reach, it has always been championship or bust...
Editorial
It’s Time For Us, The Fans, to Tackle Racism in 2019
Several recent incidents of racism in some of the world's biggest football leagues has led to plenty of discussion regarding the prejudice and bigotry that has marred football's history,...
Editorial
It’s Time to Take the UEFA Nations League Seriously
While first seen as a way for UEFA to capitalize on international breaks, the Nations League has evolved into a solid competition — especially for smaller European nations.
In 2018,...
Naked Truth
The Columbus Crew Rebrand Fiasco Exposes the Disconnect Between MLS Owners and the Common Fan
After unveiling a new crest and changing its name from “Columbus Crew SC” to “Columbus SC,” there was an outpouring of negative reaction from the club's vocal supporters. A...
Urban Hype
Urban Pitch Staff Picks: 2019 UEFA Champions League Edition
Ahead of today's UEFA Champions League quarterfinal matches, we've once again put together our very own staff picks, in which we select everything from the clubs with the best...
